GB2077342A - Device for connecting belt straps - Google Patents

Abstract

Belts are secured to end plates 10, 11 by teeth 12, 12' or other projections entering or deforming the strap material. One plate only may be toothed. Through rivets may be used. The principle may be applied to fixing a belt to a retractor axle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for connecting belt straps with stitching replacement The invention relates to a device for joining belt straps to separate parts of a belt system, e.g. belt strap parts, fittings, buckles, roll up systems, in particular for load and safety belts.

It is known how to join belt straps by means of sewing yarn to other belt straps or separate parts of a belt system as cited above by way of example.

Known also is the looping of belt strap into fittings, which disadvantageously requires that the fitting must be made relatively wide at great cost of material, the insertion of the strap being complicated, and resulting in a detachable union with all the disadvantages connected therewith.

These types of strap unions are customary both in load belts and in safety belts, and although the strap union is described below in connection with safety belts in motor vehicles, a limitation to this application is not intended thereby.

For firm union the belt straps are sewn to other parts of the belt system, the seams, e.g. next to fittings, having for instance a zigzag pattern in plan view. A part of the sewing yarn extends across the belt fabric, preferably through the holes formed by the warp and weft threads and constitutes the load or tensile force transmitting or transfer elements. In other words, the force acting in a belt strap must be transmitted under a load condition from the latter, e.g. to a fitting, this being done with the aforesaid load transmitting elements.

At present, in the area of safety technology for motor vehicle passengers, belt straps are woven.

But other materials than belt straps are also conceivable, to which the invention likewise and equally applies.

It is evident that the making of the belt seams for the mutual joining together of separate parts of a belt system is relatively expensive, because the seams must be made at considerable expense of personnel and with sewing machines which permit only parts of the total manufacturing process to be automated. In fact, the belt straps must, at great expense of time, be folded by hand, looped in, pulled through and laid over, then introduced into a sewing machine, and after sewing the threads must be cut off before the belt strap can be sent to the next operation. Much depends also on the skill of the workers. Lastly marking bands must also be sewn on, to be able to keep the respective types of the individual belt systems apart both in production and later when installed in a vehicle.

It has further been found that especially when applying belt straps to a fitting for unilateral attachment of the belt system on the vehicle a minimum length of the seam is required. For reasons of strength, the hole in the metal fittings for passing through and joining the belt strap to the fitting must be limited in size, unless one uses large metal fittings, for which, however, the necessary space is not usually provided. Besides, large and heavy fittings are not desirable anyway.

If the hole in the fitting for passage of the belt strap is smaller than the width of the strap, only that area of the zigzag stitching which extends next to the hole in lengthwise direction of the belt strap can transfer the load and hence the load transfer area is determined by the size of the hole.

Outside of this area dead zones will disadvantageously result, in which the load transmitting yarns extending through the belt fabric do not act as such, namely not for the transmission of the force. To be able to transmit the desired load nevertheless, the zigzag pattern of the sewing yarn must be given appropriate length, namely seen in longitudinal direction of the belt strap.

Considerable advantages would result if measures could be used for joining belt straps to parts of a belt system without stitching, that is as a replacement for stitching, with equal guarantee for safety.

It is, therefore, the object of the invention to provide a device of the initially mentioned kind, not only for woven belt straps, although preferably for them, which with equal durability and safety for the belt user permits cheaper manufacture and better utilization of the materials of a belt system, e.g. of the belt strap, of the metal and/or of the plastic materials of which such a belt system is made.

This problem is solved according to the invention in that on the two surfaces of the wide sides of a belt strap at least one plate is disposed, that respectively opposite plates are firmly joined together, each plate comprises load transmitting elements extending approximately crosswise to said surfaces of the belt strap, and that the load transmitting elements of at least one of the opposite plates are arranged protruding therefrom.

In this way one achieves an unexpectediy good, simple stitching replacement which can be made not only in a shorter time but also inexpensively, the joining of belt straps to separate parts of a belt system being ensured with optimum utilization of the given materials. What the new device according to the invention involves is the replacement of the previously used stitching, which as load transmitting elements extend through the belt strap, preferably the belt strap fabric, namely by transmission elements disposed on a plate, which so to speak take support on the plate, because they are provided protruding crosswise to the main plane thereof. The abovementioned cross stitches are thus replaced by novel load transmitting elements, which may be of different form, e.g. pins, teeth, rivets, wart-type elevations or depressions etc., as will be described below.By the measures according to the invention working time is saved, and yet on the whole better efficiency is achieved not only in manufacture but also for the use of the new belt system.

In further advantageous development of the invention, the load transmitting elements protruding approximately perpendicularly from at least one of the two opposite plates are elevations formed in one piece with the plate. These elevations may be for example wart-type or acicular embossments, i.e. deformations of the one plate made of metal, possibly aluminum sheet, or of plastic. Also two metal plates simply provided with holes and arranged on the two opposite belt strap sides may be conceived, behind which a plastic plate is arranged, with pins being integrally formed on one of these plastic plates These and other forms of realization will be described below.The elevations formed in one piece with the plate can be obtained not only by cold shaping or application of pressure, i.e. not only by embossing, but also by casting or deepdrawing, stamping, bending, injection molding, blow molding and the like.

In an expedient further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the elevations are provided in staggered position on the two opposite plates. Here the load transmission is ensured either by the fact that the elevations wholly or partly penetrate through the belt strap, e.g. the fabric, or, in another embodiment, by the fact that the belt strap is held bent and clamped by the elevations in such a way that a pulling out of the strap from the space between the two opposite plates is made impossible by the elevations due to the high friction. Depending on the case of application, the elevations must be formed longer in the form of needles or shorter in the form of warts.

In accordance with this invention, it is important that between two plates arranged on opposite sides of the belt strap, elevations or other load transmitting elements extending approximately from one plate to the opposite plate are retained, in order that the force transmission can occur crosswise to the longitudinal extension thereof or respectively in the direction along the belt strap. Since, in other words, the important thing is to maintain the two plates clamped against each other and to hold the belt strap tightly at, between or around the load transmissing elements, preferably the elevations, one could also set opposite a plate with the elevations protruding therefrom approximately perpendicularly a plurality of small, circular holding plates which only have the task of holding the belt strap tightly on or between the transmission elements or elevations.

It is, however, especially appropriate if according to the invention the force transmitting elements are needle-shaped. A preferred form is one in which according to the invention one plate has the elevations in needle form and, in alignment thereto, the opposite plate has corresponding holes, in or on which the elevations are riveted. This is a device very convenient to manufacture in practice. On each surface of the wide belt strap side there is thus a plate of metal and/or plastic, both plates being formed relatively to each other in such a way that the acicular elevations of one plate can be pushed into the holes of the other after they have penetrated the belt strap. The needle tips which then protrude a little in or out of the holes are preferably riveted or welded.In this way the two plates are held on one another and on the belt strap so that the force transmitting elements in the form of the acicular elevations can satisfactorily transmit the traction forces occuring at the moment of accident. This transmission occurs either to a belt strap part or, e.g. to adjustment fittings, terminal fittings, belt buckles or belt retractors.

It is advantageous according to the invention also if the two opposite plates have holes in alignment with one another, in or on which separate pins are riveted or welded. Instead of the above-mentioned acicular elevations formed in one piece with a plate, it may be especially convenient in terms of manufacture to use separate pins which already have a rivet head, e.g.

at one end and are riveted or welded to the opposite plate from the other end after insertion or passage through the holes thereof.

Another preferred form of realization is characterized according to the invention in that on each surface of the belt strap two plates are arranged, of which the two plates directly adjacent to the belt strap have holes and the plates disposed externally have elevations and/or holes.

In this connection a metal-plastic combination is preferred, the plates directly adjacent to the belt strap being made of metal so that they can absorb the high traction forces at the moment of accident which are transmitted by the elevations, needles or pins from the belt strap to the plates, and so that at the point of attachment to the vehicle bending stresses can be transmitted better through the metal.

It is also expedient according to the invention if according to another embodiment at least one of the plates is designed as a fitting. Fittings, e.g. end fittings or adjustment fittings, are frequently fastened to the belt straps by laying the latter in a lashing or loop and sewing them in the zone of this lashing or loop. Also two belt strap parts have been joined together by placing them one over the other on an overlap zone and sewing them.

Instead of the seam, the device according to the invention can now be used, the overlap zone of the two belt strap parts or the loop being arranged between the above-described plates with holes and/or elevations. According to the invention it is conceivable also to introduce, instead of a loop, the belt strap in single ply, securing it there in the manner described according to the invention. Due; to the better utilization of the materials available at the fitting, the strength of a belt strap endpiece laid in single ply can be perfectly sufficient for transmission of the necessary traction forces. In this connection it is possible also to form only one of the two plates as a fitting, using the opposite plate merely for attachment in the sense of the invention.

Expediently the invention is further developed in that the two plates opposite each other at the belt strap are in one piece and are bent onto one another flat in such a way that the load transmitting elements are arranged in alignment with one another. Evidently the manufacture of such a joining device is especially economical because both plates can be stamped or otherwise formed of one piece and then need only be bent flat one onto the other, the bending or fold line being preferable arranged in mirror symmetry. This form of realization is conceivable also for end fittings, in which case a hole for receiving a screw for attachment of the end fitting to the vehicle body is provided between the fold line and the zone with the holes and/or elevations.

It is further possible according to the invention to form wart-type elevations in one of the plates adjacent to the belt strap and in the other warttype depressions lying in alignment with the elevations. The elevations will then not pass through the belt strap but clamp it in cooperation with the respective opposite depressions, so that a clamping and friction effect results.

Evidently it is possible by the measures of the invention to join belt straps to parts of belt systems in a very economical manner saving time and the previously necessary manual work on sewing machines. The measures according to the invention lead to extensive automation of belt manufacture and belt installation while maintaining the strength and durability of the unions in comparison with the unions with belt seams. Thus there are essentially no obstacles to manufacture and fabrication in large quantities.

It is also possible, for example, to use, with or without metal plates on opposite sides of the belt strap, plastic plates which, as plastic injection molding in automated operation, are automatically brought as a blank to the point of installation of the belt strap, where, likewise automatically, the belt strap, laid in single ply or in a loop, is introduced into the machine and is brought into mechanical connection with the plastic blank. For example, the blank may comprise the two plates, which may be connected together in hinge fashion, and be brought into connection with the belt strap by a short bending process in the abovedescribed manner.Now whether separate needles, pins or elevations formed in one piece with one side of the plate are present, they can, after penetration through the belt strap, be welded to the opposite plate part, for example by ultra- sonic treatment at the tips or holes. In this way the belt straps can be handled and fabricated automatically with a saving of work stations, the needles, pins or elevations being preferably joined to the belt strap force-lockingly.

A special advantage results in the use of plates instead of belt seams for the joining also by the fact that a marking can be applied on the plate in a durably legible manner. Instead of the previously customary identifying band to be applied on the belt system, now a long-lasting marking can be applied directly on one of the two opposite plates externally, which would only be destroyed if the respective belt strap part is also destroyed. One obtains thereby a permanent, invariable marking on the plate or on a fitting.

The attachment of the plates on one another or respectively of the pins, nails or elevations on the opposite plates depends on the material. Already mentioned is the ultrasonic welding method.

Another possibility is gluing. Welding, gluing and riveting are preferred modes of attachment which can be used not only with the conventional belt strap structures, namely the woven straps, but also with other structures, e.g. when manufacturing and using a belt strap as plastic strip, possibly reinforced with glass fibers or other inlaid threads Conceivable also is the attachment of a belt strap on the axis or sleeve of a winding device. For example the axle of a so-called automatic winder can present small elevations in the sense of the invention, the belt strap end to be fastened is placed a distance over this sleeve surface thus formed, and a correspondingly formed counterplate is connected with said axle part by riveting, gluing or welding. By the measures of the invention the seams can be used as connection elements also in the retractor devices.The axle of a belt retractor can be formed according to the invention in that a part of the cylindrical axle is made separately as so-called segment in the region where the belt strap is applied on the axle.

In other words, in the area of application of the belt strap a half-cylindrical part, namely the segment, is separated from the retractor axle. In other words, after insertion in the specially prepared retractor axle, the separate segment completes said axle again approximately to the full cylinder. On the separate segment, outwardly projecting pins are provided, and in the opposite surface, usually a plane, namely in the remaining portion of the retractor axle, holes congruently matching the pins are arranged. The segment with the pins can therefore be placed on, completing the axle to the full cylinder, in such a way that the pins of the segment exactly protrude into the holes of the axle surface. Between this surface and the bottom face of the segment a gap will remain. In it the belt strap, laid in single or double ply, can be disposed.One places the belt strap end over the retractor axle, then pushing the segment onto the opposite axle surface in such a way that the pins penetrate through the belt strap and enter in the oppositely arranged holes. In this way again the same connection is created as has been described above in connection with two or more plates. The segment is retained on the remaining portion of the retractor axle, preferably by a screw or other attachment system, and is pressed against it, so that the load transmitting elements can fully perform all above-described functions also in a belt retractor.

Moreover, thereby a detachable connection of belt straps to belt strap winding devices at the belt retractor is created which is very favorable for installing as well as repair.

Expedient also is the connection of a belt strap to a belt buckle, as has been mentioned above.

The idea here is to form the two base plates of a belt buckle so that for example one base plate has elevations and the other correspondingly arranged holes. Upon installation, the belt strap is placed between the two base plates folded open or held separately, thereafter these base plates are placed one on the other in correct position or respectively bent together so that elevations engage in depressions, unless the elevations penetrate through the belt strap or only curve it strongly, and in this way an expedient and advantageous union between belt buckle and strap is ensured.

Further advantages, features and possibilities of application of the present invention are evident from the following description of preferred embodiments in connection with the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows the top view onto a belt strap, shown broken off, passed through a fitting, laid in a loop, which strap is connected by the sewing of the belt strap loop with sewing yarn to the attachment fitting; Fig. 2, a similar view as in Figure 1, but where the connection between the belt strap inserted in single ply and the attachment fitting is effected accordingly to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3, a cross-sectional view along line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail from the dash-dot circle in Figure 3;; Fig. 5, the top view onto a perforated and embossed slab of another form of realization, wherein both plates, arranged on opposite sides of the belt strap, are made of one piece; Fig. 6, a cross-sectional view along line VI--VI of Figure 5; Fig. 7, a side view onto the slab of Figure 5 after it has been partially bent; Fig. 8, the top view onto a point of connection next to an adjustment fitting using the embodiment according to Figures 5 to 7; Fig. 9, a side view according to arrow IX in Figure 8; Fig. 10, a perforated slab for a fitting according to another different embodiment; Fig. 1 a top view onto the upper plate after the bending about the fold line -- arranged in mirror symmetry in the center - of the slab according to Figure 10, with the belt strap inserted in single ply;; Fig. 12, a cross-sectional view along line XII-XllofFigure 11; Fig. 13, a similar view as in Figure 2, but where a different embodiment is shown in which two plates are provided on each side of the belt strap; Fig. 14, a cross-sectional view along line XlV-XlVin Figure 13; Fig. 15, broken off and enlarged, a detail represented by the dash-dot circle B in Figure 14; Fig. 16, the top view onto another different embodiment of the invention with similar arrangement as in Figure 13; Fig. 17, a cross-sectional view, broken off along line XVll-XVll of Figure 16; Fig. 18, the top view onto a further embodiment of the invention similar to that of Figure 2; Fig. 19, a sectional view along the dash-dot longitudinal median line in Figure 18;; Fig. 20, the top view of a further different embodiment of the invention with a belt strap applied in known manner and a plurality of rivets; Fig. 21, broken off and on a larger scale, the sectional view along line XXI-XXl of Figure 20; Fig. 22, a side view of Figure 20; Fig. 23, the side view, partly in section, of a retractor axle with separate segment with pins; Fig. 24, the top view onto the representation of Figure 23 from above as indicated by arrow; and Fig. 25, the cross-sectional view along line XXV-XXV of Figure 24.

According to Figure 1, in a conventional manner belt strap 1 is fastened to an end fitting 2 by stitching 3 in that the strap is first laid in a loop 4, the narrow-folded portion of which is passed through the slot 5 of fitting 2 as shown at left in Figure 1. Through the additional hole 6 of fitting 2 shown farther left a screw can be inserted to fasten the end fitting 2 for example to the car body. By the length of hole 5 or respectively by the outer points of contact of the belt strap, folded narrow at the left end, with the right edge of slot 5, a bearing area X1 is defined, which determines that area also within the stitching 3 in which the traction forces can be predominantly transmitted by the stitches.

If we compare the case of a first embodiment of the invention according to Figure 2 with the construction according to Figure 1, we see that there are in the case of the invention according to Figure 2 no dead zones as in Figure 1 outside the width X1, because according to Figure 2 the total width X2 of strap 1 contributes to the transmission of force. For Figure 2 slot 5 is unnecessary. There is seen in fitting 2 only the attachment hole 6 and from there to the right the two bending edges of the attachment fitting made preferably of metal, namely the left bending edge 7, the bending edge 8 to the right thereof or respectively located at the top or bottom, and in Figure 2 to the right thereof the broken line 9, namely the end of the strap portion not laid in a loop or simply introduced.

There can be seen from Figures 2 to 4 plates 10, 11 disposed on the two surfaces of the wide strap sides, 10 being the upper and 11 the lower plate.

The upper plate 10 is provided with upwardly projecting elevations 12 formed in one piece with it, made by embossing, resulting in small depressions 1 3 behind the elevations 12, the depressions being shown in Figure 2 as circles in solid lines. Offset from the elevations 12 of the upper plate 1 0, elevations 12' of the lower plate 11 with corresponding embossed depressions 13,' are arranged, these elevations 1 2r being shown in Figure 2 as circles in broken lines.

Especially from Figure 4 one sees the arrangement of strap 1 between the two plates 10 and 11. By pressing onto each other, the elevations 12, 12' have penetrated through the strap and apply against the surface of the respective opposite plate. The two plates 10 and 11 are retained in this position of Figure 4 by the fact that additionally separate rivets are provided which are not shown here, or respectively by the connecting screw which is inserted through hole 6.

From the first embodiment according to Figures 2 to 4 one sees that the belt strap 1 inserted in single ply is connected to the end fitting 2 by the two plates 10 and 11 with the elevations 12, 12' in a reliable manner and easy to produce. In an alternative embodiment, the end of the belt could be folded just at its upper or lower end around a small metal or plastic wedge which is placed between the two plates, which are appropriateiy spaced apart to accommodate the wedge. In this manner, the entire width of the webbing can still be used for the load transfer but additional load transfer is provided by the wedge.

Another embodiment is shown in Figures 5 to 9. Here the two plates 10 and 11 are formed in one piece from a slab, which slabs may here as well as in other embodiments be made either of stainless steel, surface-treated metal, aluminum or possibly plastic. From plate 10 the elevations 12 acting as traction transmitting elements protrude approximately perpendicularly and are arranged so that, in matching or congruent position after bending about the dash-dot bending line 14, holes 15 can receive the tips of the acicular elevations 1 2.

The process of joining is effected so that the slab is bent per Figure 7 from the form shown in Figures 5 and 6, while or after strap 1, laid in a loop 4, is inserted in double ply between the two plates 10 and 11. Then the plates 10 and 11 are pressed against one another so firmly that in the end the state shown in Figures 8 and 9 is reached.

A rivet 16 passing e.g. through the hole 16' shown in Figure 6, holds the two plates tightly together in the position shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Thereby the acicular elevations 12 project through strap 1 and their tips lie either in or slightly above the holes 1 5 in the upper plate 11, where they are secured by welding or riveting, as the case may be. The yoke 1 7 shown broken off in Figure 8 at right is, incidentally, the frame of an adjustment fitting.

In Figures 10 to 12 is shown another embodiment, wherein the perforated slab is shown in Figure 10 after stamping, in Figure 11 after bending about the fold line, and in Figure 12 in cross-sectional view. Here simply holes 1 5 are provided on both plates 10 and 1 The hole 6 disposed further in the center, lying next to the fold line 14, is again the same attachment hole as in the fitting 2 of Figures 1 and 2. This embodiment differs from the preceding ones in that none of the plates 10, 11 has elevations. Here instead separate pins 1 8 are provided, which after insertion of strap 1 between the two plates 10 and 11 and bending thereof are introduced separately.

The final state is seen in Figures 11 and 12. Here metal rivet pins are used which already had rivet heads at one end, while the other end is inserted through the holes 1 5 of the lower plate 10, then through the belt strap 1, then through the holes 1 5 of the upper plate 11 and there protruded so that they could be riveted.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 13 to 1 5. Here again an end fitting 2 with attachment hole 6 is involved. Again one sees the bending lines 7, 8 and the end 9 of strap 1. Above plate 10, more clearly recognizable in Figure 15, having only holes 15, a further plate 20 of plastic with integrally formed needle pins 1 2 is arranged.

These pins are so long that they project through the upper plate 10, the belt strap 1, the lower plate 11 and an additional perforated plate 21 therebelow, in and/or at which the tips of these acicular elevations 12 are secured by gluing, riveting, ciipping or welding.

Another embodiment is shown in Figures 1 6 and 17, where the end fitting 2 with its attachment hole 6 carries a marking 30. The upper plate 10 has wart-type elevations 12 protruding downward toward the surface of strap 1 shown in Figure 16, whereby depressions 13 result, seen from above in the illustration of Figure 1 6. Strap 1 is clamped in between the wart-type elevations of the upper plate 10 and the lower plate 11. The clamping is maintained by the fact that again a rivet 1 6 holds the two plates 10, 11 firmly together.

The embodiment of Figures 1 8 and 1 9 involves an end or attachment fitting 2 with hole 6, in which the belt strap 1 is inserted and retained between two grooved plates 10 and 11. Here again elevations 12 are seen in plate 10 and respectively, congruently thereto, rib or groove type depressions in plate 11 receiving these elevations, the plate having elevations 12' therebetween. These are what is referred to as deformation ribs of two fittings arranged one over the other. The two plates 10 and 11 are held firmly together by the rivet 1 6.

Figures 20 to 22 show a fitting 2 of the usual type with the strap 1 placed around, which had been connected by a plurality of rivets 30 of metal or plastic, whose shank is needle-shaped and presents a rivet head 31 at one end. In Figure 20 one looks onto the rivet heads 31 , which in the section of Figure 21 lie at the bottom. On the opposite these pins, e.g. plastic pins, may be connected with a disk 32, which may also be referred to as a counter-plate. The connection may be formed also by needle-shaped plastic pins with head 31, which pins are welded on the opposite side to another plastic part. The purpose of the needle form of the shank of these rivets 30 is not to destroy the belt strap fiber in the case of fabrics, but to pass the shank or needle through the threads without destruction as in the case of a stitched seam.

In Figures 23 to 25 is shown the axle 35 of a belt retractor device not shown. Seen in cross section, the central region of axle 35 is centrally cut in such a way that according to Figure 25 for instance two semi-circles result. The part disposed at left in Figure 25 and at the top in Figures 23 and 24 is the segment 36. The drawing shows the axle 35 with segment 36 placed on without belt strap, so that for the outer contour of the assembled shaft 35 with segment 36 again approximately the form of a cylindrical tube results. The differences from the exact geometric cylinder form can be seen in Figure 25.

The segment 36 is provided with small needle pins 37, illustrated by circles in broken lines in Figure 24. The pins 37 protrude from the flat side of segment 36 approximately crosswise to this plane, to fit into correspondingly or congruently arranged bores 38 of the main part of axle 35.

Through these needle pins 37 the belt strap is force-lockingly connected with the retractor axle 35 in a manner not shown. The strap will then extend - conceptually - in Figure 25 out of the slot or gap 39, partialiy pierced by the needle pins 37, upward and to the left, in order then to place itself around the axle 35 wound counterclockwise as in a spiral or helix. This is the reason why, deviating from the geometric circular form in Figure 25, the segment 36 is formed recessed at the top. In this way, in fact, the strap can be wound ridgelessly. By means of the screw 40 and the threaded bore 41, the segment 36 is secured on the main part of the axle 35. Naturally also several screws 40 may be used for attachment if necessary.

Claims (11)

1. Device for joining belt straps to separate parts of a belt system, e.g. belt strap parts, fittings, buckles, retractor systems, in particular for load and safety belts, characterized in that on the two surfaces of the wide sides of a belt strap (1) at least one plate (10, 11) is disposed, that the opposite plates (10, 11) are firmly joined together, one of said plates comprises load transmitting elements (12, 12', 1 8) extending approximately crosswise to said surfaces of the belt strap (1-), and that the load transmitting elements (12, 12', 18) of at least one of the opposite plates (10, 11) are arranged protruding therefrom.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the load transmitting elements (12, 12') protruding approximately perpendicularly from at least one of the two opposite plates (10, 11) are elevations formed in one piece with the plate (10, 11).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elevations (12, 12') are provided in staggered position on the two opposite plates (10, 11).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the load transmitting elements are needle-shaped.

5. Device according to claim 1,2 or 4, characterized in that one plate (10, 11) has the elevations (12) in needle form, and in alignment therewith the opposite plate (11; 10) has corresponding holes (1 5) in or on which the elevation (12) are riveted.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two opposite plates (10, 11) have holes (15) in alignment with one another, in or on which separate pins (18) are riveted or welded.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that on each surface of the belt strap (1) two plates (10,20,11,21) are arranged, of which the two plates (10, 11) directly adjacent to the strap (1) have holes (15) and the plates (20, 21) disposed externally have elevations (12) and/or holes.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the plates (10, 11) is formed as a fitting (2).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the two plates (10, 11) opposite each other at the strap surfaces (1) are in one piece and are bent onto one another flat in such a way that the load transmitting elements (12, 12', 18) are arranged in alignment with one another.

10. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in one of the plates (10, 11) adjacent to the strap (1) wart-type elevations (12), and in the other, wart-type depressions in alignment with the elevations (12) are formed.

11. A device for joining belt straps to separate parts of a belt system constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.